X Removes Over 13,000 Accounts Tied to Suspected Foreign Election Influence

X said it removed more than 13,000 accounts associated with three suspected foreign influence operations targeting U.S. political debate ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The platform attributed the operations to Iran, Russia, and China but released no public evidence supporting those attributions. According to X, the networks used inauthentic accounts to publish and amplify political content targeting candidates and public figures across the political spectrum.

X highlighted its Civic Integrity policy and Community Notes as part of its response, alongside account removals. The announcement follows substantial reductions in the platform’s content moderation workforce after Elon Musk’s acquisition. The European Commission has questioned the effectiveness of Community Notes during Digital Services Act proceedings launched in 2023, adding scrutiny to the platform’s safeguards against election-related manipulation.